"I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't want to ride for them" - Wout Poels reveals he's twice been close to joining Jumbo-Visma

After what was arguably the best season of his career in 2023, one which saw Wout Poels win stages at both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, the Dutchman has aged like a fine wine during his career.

Currently riding for Bahrain - Victorious, Poels has formerly raced in the colours of Team Sky and for a single season in 2014, Quick-Step. Never though, has the Dutchman raced for Jumbo-Visma despite there being a couple of occasions where a deal was nearly struck, as he reveals in conversation with Helden Magazine.

"I've had quite serious talks with them twice in the past, but somehow we never got any further," the 36-year-old recalls openly. "When you see that team now, you see that they have everything in place. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't want to ride for them. But on the other hand: I went to Bahrain Victorious to be able to pursue my own opportunities, and that turned out well."

One of the occasions it turned out well was when Poels thwarted Jumbo-Visma and Wout van Aert at the Tour de France earlier this year. "It's not that I necessarily felt good that morning and thought that the victory would be mine. On the contrary. I had gone very deep the day before, so I wasn't sure if I could make another attempt for a stage win. That decision ultimately only came during the race itself," reminisces the Dutchman.

"Van Aert was very strong and so I only had one real chance to get rid of him, on the steep part of the penultimate climb," he says. "I would see where the ship went aground. When I attacked, I immediately had doubts. Shit, that was too early, I thought. But my lead increased and I managed to win. At some point that line and the relief will come. I could not believe it. My entire career flashed by when I crossed the finish line. It was a dream come true. And the fact that I also defeated Van Aert made it a perfect scenario."